Drug interactions
Didanosine + Isoniazid
Severity: Major
Didanosine and Isoniazid: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy, so combined use may increase the incidence or severity of nerve damage. Neuropathy may be dose-limiting and sometimes persists after discontinuation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Didanosine and Isoniazid can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Didanosine belongs to Anti Virals; Isoniazid belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive neurotoxicity; isoniazid interferes with pyridoxine function while didanosine causes mitochondrial toxicity in neurons.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible, or give pyridoxine with isoniazid and examine the patient regularly for numbness, tingling or pain. Change therapy if neuropathy develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Isoniazid
Other interactions of Didanosine
- Didanosine + Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Hydroxycarbamide Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Hydroxyurea Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Ribavirin Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Stavudine Contraindicated
- Allopurinol + Didanosine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Didanosine with Isoniazid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Didanosine and Isoniazid can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy, so combined use may increase the incidence or severity of nerve damage. Neuropathy may be dose-limiting and sometimes persists after discontinuation.
How serious is the interaction between Didanosine and Isoniazid?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible, or give pyridoxine with isoniazid and examine the patient regularly for numbness, tingling or pain. Change therapy if neuropathy develops.
What other medicines interact with Isoniazid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Isoniazid with, for example, Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain tice, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Carbamazepine. The full list is on the Isoniazid page.
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